Chief engineer Mike Cross takes us through the car's handling characteristics, what it sounds like, and some of the technological tools Jaguar employed to make it as balanced as they hope it will ultimately prove to be. Acknowledging that most people these days drive their executive limos and sedans rather than riding in them, Cross said, "It's a great car to be driven in. It's an even better car to drive."
Speaking at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, Jaguar's Mike O'Driscoll released some details about the upcoming flagship along with a teaser image and a video interview with Ian Callum.
The new XJ will be the first model feature the next-generation of Jaguar's aerospace-inspired aluminum body architecture, and it will be available with the carmaker’s latest 3.0L V6 turbodiesel and 510hp 5.0L supercharged petrol V8. A plug-in hybrid variant is also rumored to be launched one year after the regular model, though no confirmation has been made on this yet.
As indicated by the teasers released so far, Jaguar designers have focused on alleviating many of the current XJ’s criticisms – namely the outdated styling and lack of engine options. One insider who has seen concept sketches for the car described it as looking like the C-XF’s features had been draped over an Aston Martin Rapide.
Previous spy shots revealed that the headlights will likely share some XF traits, though the rear could get fully-modern LED units of a unique design, possibly sharing hints of the Bentley Continental GT Flying Spur – one of the cars Jaguar would eventually like to rival with its new XJ.
High-tech features inside are said to include pressure sensing buttons, combined with backlit glass panels and the retracting transmission selector knob used in the XF.
Reader Comments
Wed Jul 16 2008 12:03 PM
mlevere1992 says
Holy Crap! It looks like the car was in an accident!
Sun Aug 24 2008 11:12 PM
NoNameDenton says
It is called camo
Sun Aug 24 2008 11:15 PM
admin says
No, he's right. The July car WAS in an accident on the Nurburgring before our spy photographers shot it.
So it looks like they still have to fix some handling issues.
Mon Aug 25 2008 4:58 PM
SteveSteve says
looks the same as the old one...needs some new lights to sporty it up a bit
Sun Sep 7 2008 5:51 AM
greg says
I suppose this phot shows a car testing new mechanism of forecoming XJ .
The current XJ body must have been temporarily adopted with it.
I hear In fact new XJ's exteria will be drastically changed and be more simillar to XC-F than current XF.
W'ont it be?
Tue Sep 30 2008 8:09 PM
azlan says
yea looks the same whoever designed the xf get him again! the xf is awesome that should be the future of jag and the xj is nxt in line for some deffinate re-modelling
Wed Dec 3 2008 6:29 PM
NoNameDenton says
Bring the diesels here
Thu Dec 4 2008 7:29 AM
Edward says
OMG!, looks like a Ford Taurus from the 1980's. New Retro design language at Jag LR?
Thu Dec 4 2008 9:02 AM
NaBUru38 says
That rear side door is too small. The Chinese will only buy long-wheelbase versions, I bet.
Mon Dec 8 2008 1:05 PM
jorge parada leon says
la carroceria la tiene de los años 73a
Fri Feb 13 2009 12:33 AM
NoNameDenton says
Yeah Edward, you can see the design language through all the camo
Fri May 1 2009 11:14 PM
Teeee says
New generation of Jaguars look cheap, It almost looks like Korean cars and their interior design just isn't inspiring. I hope they've got a different designer with this XJ.
Fri Jun 12 2009 12:43 PM
daven2505 says
The Bowers & Wilkins is great but im afraid Jaguar can't make an interior that can handle the power of the system. I brought an XF brand new & every door panel vibrated & rattled when you only had the system on half volume, this & the many many other issues with the car I now dont own the car. I took the hit & got out of Jaguar ownership. I wonder if the seats will be any better than the poorly designed items fitted the the XF
Fri Jun 12 2009 9:25 PM
azlan says
im just happy jaguar are starting to do something different!
Fri Jun 12 2009 9:43 PM
gazzed says
Audi A/S8 with Bang and Olufsen is also a great match and awesome sound.
Sat Jun 13 2009 7:26 PM
DingDong says
Can't wait.
Thu Jun 25 2009 4:42 PM
Edward says
No detail photos yet?????? Why can not Ian at least unveil his new Jaguar design language??????Or he does not not have one??? If so then resign.
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